Bring back City Centre Ambassadors, say Dundee LibDems

Dundee Liberal Democrats have renewed their call for the return of City Centre Ambassadors following a newspaper survey highlighting growing public concern about the state of Dundee city centre.

The Evening Telegraph's Fresh Start survey has highlighted widespread concerns about empty shops, poor cleanliness, graffiti and antisocial behaviour, with residents specifically criticising the council's decision to axe the City Centre Ambassadors.

The posts, established in 2001, were abolished as part of the SNP administration's 2026/27 budget, saving just £56,000 annually.

Councillor Fraser Macpherson, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Dundee City Council, who opposed the removal of the service, said :

“The findings of this survey reinforce what we have been saying all along. Scrapping the City Centre Ambassadors was a serious mistake and a false economy. The Ambassadors provided a friendly, welcoming and highly visible presence in the city centre. They helped visitors, supported local businesses and acted as the council's eyes and ears, identifying problems such as graffiti, vandalism, litter and antisocial behaviour so that action could be taken quickly.”

“At a time when our city centre faces significant challenges, removing such a valuable service to save just £56,000 a year was incredibly short-sighted. The SNP administration talks about regenerating the city centre, but its decision to abolish the Ambassadors has removed a practical service that made a real difference.”

“The Evening Telegraph survey makes clear that residents are deeply concerned about the condition of our city centre. We need to listen to these concerns and take positive action.”

“Of course, bringing back the Ambassadors will not, on its own, resolve all the challenges facing Dundee city centre. We also need more effective street cleaning, action on vacant retail premises, support for local businesses and a stronger response to antisocial behaviour. However, restoring the City Centre Ambassadors would be a relatively modest investment that would make an immediate and visible difference.”

"The Liberal Democrat Group will continue to press for the reinstatement of this valuable service. Dundee deserves a city centre that is clean, safe, welcoming and vibrant, and bringing back the Ambassadors would be a sensible step towards achieving that."